Nigeria declared Ebola free by World Health Organisation

Nigeria has been declared officially free of Ebola by the WHO. Earlier, WHO also declared Senegal Ebola free.

Impact of Ebola

The Ebola outbreak has killed more than 4,500 people in West Africa, mostly in Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. Approximately 70% of the infected persons have died in these countries.

Criteria for declaring a nation Ebola-free

The WHO declared Nigeria Ebola free after it crossed six weeks with no reports of new cases of Ebola. WHO can declare an Ebola outbreak over if two incubation periods of 21 days pass with no new cases.

Outbreak in Nigeria

The Ebola virus was brought to Nigeria by an American-Liberian diplomat in July. Since then, the diplomat and seven Nigerians have died due to the virus.

As soon as the diplomat was diagnosed, Nigeria responded to the threat swiftly and contained the situation. A national public health emergency was declared and action take to limit the spread of the disease.

Ebola virus

Fruit bats, which are a delicacy for some West Africans, is believed to be the virus’ natural host

Symptoms faced by people who have contracted the Ebola virus include high fever, bleeding and central nervous system damage.

The virus is spread through contact with body fluids of inflected persons such as blood, urine and saliva.

The incubation period for the virus ranges from 2 to 21 days.

There is no proven cure for the disease, though supportive care can help recovery.

The fatality rate for persons who have contracted Ebola is currently 70%, but it can reach up to 90%.